Go Back
Alt text for featured image about Hobo Casserole

Easy Hobo Casserole

This easy Hobo Casserole recipe transforms simple ingredients into a hearty and satisfying one-pot meal. Browning the beef and vegetables before baking is crucial for developing rich, complex flavors. A perfect balance of flavor, texture, and ease of preparation.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup beef broth optional

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Large bowl
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • aluminum foil
  • Spoon
  • knife
  • cutting board
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the browned ground beef and vegetables, cubed potatoes, diced tomatoes (undrained), cream of mushroom soup, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
  7. If the mixture seems dry, add 1/2 cup of beef broth.
  8. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 1 hour.
  9. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the casserole is bubbly.
  10. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, sear the ground beef well to develop a rich flavor. Yukon Gold potatoes hold their shape nicely during cooking. Experiment with adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of Worcestershire sauce for a customized flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.